Conservation Corps North Bay is the oldest youth conservation corps in the country. Serving Marin and Sonoma Counties since 1982, CCNB has helped more than 12,000 young men and women break the cycle of poverty through education and job skills, while serving the environment and community.

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Corpsmember Stories

Dakotah G.

At CCNB, we strive to help marginalized, vulnerable youth change the course of their lives. In our corpsmember program, young adults ages 18-30, can earn their high school diploma, learn valuable and transferable job skills, and be employed in jobs that help sustain our natural environment.

21 year-old Dakotah recently shared with us how he got his life on-track through CCNB’s corpsmember program. “Before coming to CCNB, I felt defeated – I didn’t have a job or a plan, and I felt bad for sitting around not being a productive part of society.”

Dakotah always wanted to graduate from high school and find a good paying job, but his large public high school caused him debilitating anxiety and he dropped out, causing feelings of hopelessness.

“I had friends who were CCNB corpsmembers, and with their and my family’s encouragement, I applied, was accepted, and started to attend CCNB’s John Muir Charter School.”

Soon Dakotah was doing well academically and in his corpsmember work, and last October he earned his high school diploma. “My schoolwork improved dramatically because I was able to work at my own speed, with plenty of guidance. The staff helped me stay on task, and helped me mature and become more responsible. I actually enjoy learning now, which was my biggest breakthrough.”